 Mileage on 2003 Highlander
All Ray says is true - I'd also suggest you do your mileage checks thru
several tanks of fuels - say 700 or so miles to get a good check (or more) -
my 02 Highlander was 16-17 in town and about 22 on highway BUT if I used
other than California gasoline (OR, WA, ID) I 'd get maybe 10% better.
"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:geGdnRyP4bLv5dzVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@. ..
>
> "franz fripplfrappl" <bogus@bogus.net> wrote in message
> news:hfc0k.3446$co7.2066@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
>> I've only had the 2003 Highlander for a month or so. Mileage has been
>> all over the place. The worst has been 16 while pulling a small
>> trailer. My best was 24 until yesterday's trip which was 30. I have
>> checked and rechecked my figures and calculations.
>>
>> 30 seems quite high. Yesterday's weather was rain. Roads were state
>> highways and a few small towns. I kept within 55 mph except for towns.
>> Did not use A/C. Windows were up. Did use circulating fan.
>>
>> A few weeks ago I switched to Redline synthetic oil.
>>
>> Is it possible the digital odometer is off? I love the higher mileage,
>> but I am suspicious.
>>
>
> It is possible that the odometer is off, but not inconsistently. In other
> words, if it is off by .1 miles per mile at 55 MPH, it will always be off
> by that amount, not more on some days and less on others.
>
> A lot of things affect fuel economy. Obviously, pulling a trailer adds
> weight and drag, which have an adverse effect of fuel economy. Having
> something on the roof rack also adds weight and drag.
>
> Stopping, idling, and accelerating have an adverse effect, which is why
> cars generally get worse fuel economy in the city than on the highway.
> Driving at a steady speed means that the transmission is in overdrive with
> the torque converter locked so fuel economy is improved.
>
> Using the AC has a slight but probably not measurable adverse effect on
> fuel economy, perhaps 1 MPG if it is not used for an entire tank of fuel.
>
> Driving with the windows up usually reduces drag, which has a positive
> effect.
>
> Cool, moist air is denser than hot, dry air so it mixes with fuel more
> completely.
>
> Engines operate more efficiently when completely warmed up, so if the trip
> is long and the engine stays warmed up, you will get better fuel economy
> than the same distance made up of many short trips where the engine has to
> warm up each time.
>
> Fuel pumps click off at different times, so there is a pretty big variance
> between pumps. By the way, trying to top off the fuel tank until the fuel
> is at the top of the fuel filler neck is not good for the evaporative
> emissions control system and can contaminate the charcoal canister. When
> the fuel pump clicks off, you can round up to the nearest quarter or maybe
> dollar, but topping off after that is not a good idea.
> --
>
> Ray O
>
> | 
